Pops Goes To The Movies

Lake Charles Symphony’s pops series this summer will celebrate the magic of cinema when “Pops Goes to the Movies” on Saturday,
July 12, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert will start at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s guest conductor is Carl Topilow of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. The masters of ceremony will be KPLC-TV’s John
Bridges and Britney Glaser.

“It’s a professional show that’s geared
toward the whole family,” said Shelly Appleby, executive director of
the Lake Charles
Symphony. “It’s not just a movie experience, a musical experience.
It’s visually enticing; there’s food and you get to visit
with people at intermission. All the senses are evoked.”

The music will be accompanied by movie
clips, posters or film stills displayed on large screens in the
coliseum. Twenty different
films will be featured in the program. Some of the films in the
program will include, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Raiders
of the Lost Ark,” “Star Wars,” “Gone With the Wind” and many more.
Last year’s event was a tribute to Elton John. Past pops
concerts include a Motown and a Beatles tributes.

The orchestra for this event is over 45 different members, which is closer to the size of a full orchestra.

Two featured soloists include Sarah
Callahan and Dax Everage. Callahan will be performing “My Heart Will Go
On” from James
Cameron’s “Titanic,” as made famous by Celine Dion. Everage, a
ten-year old vocal student of Peggy Fletcher will be performing
“In Dreams” from “The Lord of the Rings” series.

“(Everage) just discovered his voice and an interest in singing only a year ago. He just found his niche and is very talented,”
said Appleby.

The meaning behind the name pops,
according to Appleby, refers to the use of popular music in contrast to
the customary classical
concerts that are usually heard at a Symphony concert.

“It allows people who may not enjoy classical music, to present the symphony in a different light in a different way.”

Appleby describes the event as casual and family friendly.

Food will be available at the event including pizza from Mr. Gatti’s. Pizza must be ordered in advanced and is available on
the Symphony’s web site. Other concessions available include popcorn, hot dogs, nachos and ice cream.

Reserved floor seating is available
with prices listed on the symphony’s web site with a reserved table seat
starting at $50.
Riser seats are $20 for adults, $10 for students. Children
six-years and under get in for free. Guests with floor seating
will be escorted by the members of The Children’s Theatre dressed
in costume from their recent production “The Land of Oz.”

“Guests will be escorted to their seats by The Tin Man, Dorothy, and The Wicked Witch, which is neat since one of our featured
performances is ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ It’s another fun component.”

Though the event will appeal to film buffs, Appleby mentions it’s much more than just a movie event.

“It’s a whole different enjoyment when you hear the music live. The live music really bumps it up to the next level.

For more information, visit www.lcsymphony.com. Suggestions for next years Pops event are welcome and can be submitted to
info@lcsymphony.com